Final questions set in probable fire annexation…
The Florence City Council and the Directors of Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue will meet in joint session again tonight. When they do, they’ll consider a series of resolutions that will ultimately give voters the final word on whether or not to annex property inside city limits into the fire district.
205 – “That’s the most cost effective, least expensive way for the city to receive fire services.”
That’s Florence City Manager Bob Willoughby. In order to make it to voters in May, the City Council must formally adopt a resolution to begin the process… as must the fire board. The next step is adopting a resolution calling for the election. That would be on the May 18th ballot and only those inside Florence will vote. The final step, although not required, are formal resolutions by both bodies to temporarily reduce the property tax rates. By annexing Florence property, the fire district would earn a windfall of several million dollars in assessed value. They’ll agree to reduce their rate by 67-cents per thousand over five years. The city, since they won’t be paying for fire service any longer, will also reduce their rate by 39-cents… but if approved by voters, Florence residents will see an additional charge of 87-cents per thousand on their property tax statements in 2011. Tonight’s meeting is at six o’clock… it’s at city hall.
Work on the Siuslaw River Bridge on Highway 101 will prompt another series of overnight closures next month. Between March 15th and the 19th crews will be working on the draw spans once again. Closures will begin at 11 P.M. each night that week and traffic will be allowed through again at five the next morning. There will be no intermittent openings during that time. Emergency response will not be impacted by the closures.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline increased in Florence this week by two cents to $2.65. Triple-A says the national average price increased by a nickel this week. It’s a penny higher at $2.66. Oregon ‘s statewide average took a hike as well, it’s at $2.75. Climbing crude oil prices are getting the blame for the increases. Drivers in Eugene and Springfield are paying on average $2.79 a gallon… 14-cents more than locally.
Five Florence churches will host an internationally renowned theologian, author and educator this weekend for a series of Lenten Renewal workshops.
208 – “Marva Dawn, who is coming, is a very very well educated, very fine person who has been here, about ten years ago. We’re very happy to have her.”
Dr. A.J. Brauer says Dawn will speak three times Saturday at the Florence Events Center, 10:30, 1:30 and at three. Then Sunday morning she’ll participate in a special worship service at 10:30. The Florence Community Chorus will provide music. Brauer says the Saturday sessons and the Sunday service are open to all.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon legislators have approved a bill to
allow teachers to wear religious clothing in classrooms. The Senate
approved the measure 21-9 yesterday, and the bill is expected to be
sent to the governor soon. It would strike down a law dating to the
1920s when the Ku Klux Klan dominated the Legislature. Only two
other states have such laws in existence.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Former Gov. John Kitzhaber has proposed a
major reform of public education as he campaigns for another term
as governor. The Democrat spoke yesterday at Portland Community
College and outlined his ideas for improving education from
pre-school to college. He's proposing an education investment board
that would oversee all levels of education.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Highway Patrol says all five
people killed in a head-on collision on an icy Interstate 80 were
from Portland, Ore. The Patrol yesterday released the names of
three people killed in Thursday's accident as 24-year-old Antonio
J. Castro-Flores, 23-year-old Anabel Hernandez-Ruiz and 4-year-old
Araceli Y. Castro-Hernandez. The Patrol had already identified the
two other victims: 43-year-old Maria D. Ruiz-Flores and 17-year-old
Jose A. Hernandez-Ruiz.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland Public Schools has agreed to take
a second look at district policy for dealing with toy guns brought
to school. That decision comes after Aron Anderson made a final
appeal Monday night to the Portland School Board in an effort to
soften the penalty his son Austin received for bringing a
4-inch-long plastic toy gun to school last month.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Legislature is in the final days
of its session in Salem. Lawmakers still have to take action on
bills to balance the budget. And Republicans and Democrats are
still debating a proposal that would ask voters to set annual
sessions of the Legislature.
(Statesman Journal)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Multnomah County Judge Michael Marcus is
asking Portland police officials to clearly define limits on deadly
force to avoid unnecessary deaths. In a letter yesterday to Police
Commissioner Dan Saltzman and Chief Rosie Sizer, Marcus said the
current law is too broad. The Oregonian reports Marcus wrote as a
private citizen and said he is not taking a position on last
month's shooting of Aaron Campbell.
(The Oregonian)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Lane County sheriff's deputies issued 220
citations during a two-week period of extra enforcement. A grant
paid for the overtime in the period that ended Sunday. Deputies
issued 70 tickets for seat belt violations, 33 for speeding, 16 for
illegal cell phone use and dozens more for other traffic
violations.
(Register Guard)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Marion Pringle celebrated her 104th
birthday yesterday at a retirement home in Portland and received a
surprise visit from an immigration official who gave her proof of
her U.S. citizenship. The Oregonian reports she was born in
Vancouver, British Columbia, and her parents were U.S. citizens.
She found out she needed proof of citizenship last month when she
went to renew her driver's license. She doesn't drive but needs it
for medical records.
(The Oregonian)
JOHN DAY, Ore. (AP) - People in Eastern Oregon's Grant County
are rallying against a white supremacist group possibly moving to
the city of John Day. Members of the Aryan Nations say they are
considering the city for a possible headquarters, but residents and
officials say they don't want the county known as the home of a
hate group.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Basketball:
The North Bend boys clinched their first outright league title since 1955 last night with a dominating 63 – 22 win over the Siuslaw Vikings. Around the league, Brookings Harbor beat Douglas 49 – 31 and South Umpqua upended Sutherlin 65 – 58. For the girls, Seabre Church pulled down 14 rebounds and put back 12 points, but the Lady Vikings fell on the road to North Bend 53 – 28. In other Far West League games, Sutherlin beat South Umpqua 36 – 17 and Brookings-Harbor beat Douglas 50 – 38.
On the Schedule:
The Mapleton Sailors open up the first round of the OSAA 1-A Boys Basketball finals tonight in Portland when they meet the Columbia Christian Knights. That game will air on Coast Radio Sports with a pregame show at 5:45 and the tipoff at six.
On the court for the Sailors will be Chad Walker. A senior, he was selected to play in the Shriners East-West Football game set for Baker city on July 31st. He’s one of 60 prep players honored for their ability as well as their citizenship. Proceeds from the game go to support the Portland Shriner’s Hospital… last year’s game raised $108-thousand.
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